A NURSE dumped a frail, elderly woman in a bath when she could see the patient was in agony from a suspected fractured leg, a disciplinary hearing has been told.

Valerie Humphreys, 58, told two care assistants: 'You might as well give her a bath now you're here' before putting her in the tub herself.

The nurse was called to the bathroom to inspect the 84-year-old woman who suffered from severe dementia and could barely speak.

Humphreys had touched the woman's leg and watched as she winced in pain before telling the care assistants: 'It looks like a fracture,' the hearing was told.

The patient, who had recently lost her husband, was then bathed and taken back to bed before an ambulance was finally called when it was noticed one leg was shorter than the other.

Humphreys is accused of mis-conduct following the incident at the Newton Hall care home in Frodsham.

The Nursing and Midwifery Council was told Humphreys thought the bath would help the fractured femur.

Sarah Kay, area manager of the nursing home who started an inquiry into the incident, said: 'She said she thought the water would be soothing.'

Ms Kay asked why the nurse 'hadn't recorded any information whatsoever in the notes' and Humphreys said she was late going off duty and did not have time.

'In anybody suspected of having a fracture, the nurse in charge should examine very closely for evidence of the fracture,' said Ms Kay.

David Glendinning, representing the Nursing and Midwifery Council, told the panel 'Patient A' was normally highly mobile and able to walk unassisted, but after she had been found on the floor in her room on October 13, 2003, she was 'subdued'.

Humphreys had heard a buzzer go off and saw Patient A on the floor.

Mr Glendinning said the care assistants realised something was wrong as they got Patient A ready for her bath.

'As they began to undress Patient A she began to making noises and indicated she was in pain. She was rubbing the top of her right leg and moaning.

Humphreys was then called and told the care assistant to carry on before she 'picked up both Patient A's legs and slung them around into the bath,' Mr Glendinning said.

When she was interviewed, Humphreys said she did not think Patient A had fractured her leg before she was put in the bath.

But care assistant Katherine Day said: 'She was sat on the edge of the bath seat, holding out the top of her right leg.

'You could make out she was saying 'hurts, sore'.

'We asked Mrs Humphreys to have a look at her leg, and she touched the top of her right leg while Patient A was holding it herself. She winced.'

Only when Humphreys examined the patient again on her bed, and decided her femur was definitely fractured, were paramedics called.

Humphreys, of Warrington, faces being struck off if she is found guilty of misconduct.

The hearing was adjourned until April 2 when the nurse is expected to give evidence.